Author: Donald Rickert
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Tenor Banjo and Irish Tenor Banjo: Is There a Difference?
Please visit the Don Rickert Musician Shop. This is an excellent question, and it comes up all the time from smart musicians. The difference between the Tenor Banjo and Irish Tenor Banjo is, on one level, analogous to the difference between a violin and a fiddle. They are played differently. But Irish Tenor Banjos are…
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The Violin Was Perfected 300 Years Ago…Hogwash!
Please visit the Don Rickert Musician Shop. Recently I had been looking at a lot of violin and fiddle related websites and blogs and have seen far too many assertions that the violin was perfected centuries ago. This ranks up there on the idiocy scale as the statement by the Director of the U.S. Patent…
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Photos of the Three Basic Types of Old-Style Banjos
These photos are being posted in preparation for adding old-style banjos to our online store www.AdventurousMuseStore.com. From left to right, a Gourd Banjo, a Tackhead Banjo and a Minstrel Banjo
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Electro-mechanically Augmented Violin by Don Rickert (the Details)
EAAV-A, plus B+B+C “EAAV” is an acronym for Electro-mechanically Augmented Violin. “A” refers to version, in this case Version A. “B+B+C” stands for baritone, bass and contra-bass. An “Augmented” Musical Instrument Augmented musical instruments like EAAV-A, plus B+B+C are inspired by existing acoustic instruments, building upon their existing design, playing technique and performance practice, with…
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Augmented and Actuated Acoustic Musical Instruments
Common Definition of “Augmented” and “Actuated” Musical Instruments: Musical instruments inspired by existing acoustic instruments, building upon their existing design, playing technique and performance practice with new electronic and/or electro-mechanical vibrating elements added that extend their expressive capabilities Difference in emphasis between “Actuated” (as commonly used by researchers and designers of such instruments) and “Augmented”…
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What is a filter in the context of musical instruments?
Also posted at www.WildRockStudios.com Musical instrument makers have been using filters to shape the sound of their instruments since, I suppose, the first musical instrument. For example, the evolution of early bowed string instruments to the modern violin reflects a corresponding evolution of filter design. And the evolution continues! Well-studied and frequently-cited filters critical to…
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Update on Our 2013 Guthman Musical Instrument Design Competition Entry
Post moved to www.WildRockStudios.com. Please visit WildRock Studios for post relating to musical instruments designed by Donald Rickert and/or Don Rickert Musical Instruments. We Are Now Affiliated with the NEW WildRock Studios Hub Site Update on Our 2013 Guthman Musical Instrument Design Competition Entry Links to Guthman Video and Photos Don Rickert's 2013 Guthman Musical…
